UAE takes the right steps towards a healthy heart

UAE: More than 600 people participated in a walkathon on Friday, organised to raise awareness about heart health, and with half the participants consisting of youngsters, they proved to show more interest in leading a heart disease-free life over the adults.

Titled ‘Towards a Healthy Heart — Step by Step’, the lineup of events was organised by the Association of Kerala Medical Graduates (AKMG) Save-a-Heart Day on Friday, with the aim of raising health awareness amongst adults and children alike.

Indian High School student Sushant Satish, 14, said early awareness was key. “If children are educated about heart-related diseases at a young age and told about means of avoiding them, we can put them into practice as we grow older.”

Other students said more anti-tobacco and anti-alcohol campaigns should be organised by schools and private organisations.

“Children will avoid getting into bad habits, if they are educated at a young age. Such events teach us of the benefits of exercise as well. A lot of attention needs to be given to avoid kids from getting into the smoking habit,” said Sheetal Mathew, 15. Many participants said that though the incidence of heart-related diseases was high in the UAE, awareness was improving.

General physician and participant of the walkathon Dr Raphy John said: “Most people who suffer from heart-related illnesses undergo high levels of stress. Awareness is extremely important and schools must also actively participate in such events. People must keep aside an hour and a half of their time for exercise.”

Attended by hundreds of health enthusiasts, the walkathon was a unique affair, with walkers stopping at five stations along the way, signifying the five simple steps necessary to be inculcated for healthy hearts.

The walkathon was followed by poster designing and painting competitions for children from various schools across the UAE. Almost 300 children took part in this event, with the Emirates National School in Sharjah taking first place in the poster design competition. The Heart Cardiological Society of India, attended by 20 cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, saw more than 200 patients at the event and about 40 were shortlisted for further investigations and processing.

The event was held at Sharjah’s India Trade and Exhibition Centre and at a function following the event, Indian Ambassador MK Lokesh released two Health Awareness Posters on Heart Health — one to be distributed to labour camps and the other to schools across UAE.